Auto shifter

Newbie here. I've recently bought a 51 plate TD5 ES with 68k on the clock. This 7 seater came from the factory with no sunroofs- so one future problem eliminated. PO paid £300 recently to have the ACE completely removed from the vehicle. (a huge saving on having the fault fixed apparently). Vehicle corners fine without it. I've de-egr'd it already and am now concentrating on the interior.
I want to take the one-piece "walnut" centre console out to refurb it. It's like a Jag "ski-slope" in reverse. The rear sloping portion has the window and heated seat switches etc.
Anyhoo-according to Raid and Haynes - "put shifter in D position and pull up sharply and knob will come off, then remove spacer."
Er- NO IT DOESN'T. Got some extremely strange looks from passers-by as I was knelt on the front seats with my arse going up and down 13 to the dozen.
Anyone had experience of removing this, or not, as the case may be?

Question 2:- Driver side mirror powerfolds but passenger side doesn't. All other movement (mirror glass) on passenger side is ok throughout the range.

All help greatly appreciated, with more questions to follow (undoubtedly).

Auto gear nob does just pull up.......mine required a dam good heaving, and then guess what??? I smacked myself in the head when it finally let go. I normally remove mine when its in neutral.

As far as the mirror goes, most likely duff motor in the passenger side, have you folded it in and out manually to see if that helps ?

Thanks for that. I'll just have to persevere with the shift knob.